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Louth County Council today launched\u00a0Sound Town \u2013 Drogheda\u2019s Night-Time Vision, positioning the town as Ireland\u2019s East Coast alternative through a long-term commitment to independent creativity and the night-time economy.<\/p>\n
The strategy is in response to the way Irish nightlife is changing, and the town is one of the first to take this future-focussed, distinctive approach.Nine pilots are currently being developed across the country to explore Ireland\u2019s changing nightlife (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Sligo, Longford and Buncrana) \u2013 and today unveiled the emerging Drogheda approach.<\/p>\n
Under the leadership of Louth County Council, \u2018Sound Town\u2019 forms part of a broader commitment to supporting town centre regeneration, economic development and cultural growth in Drogheda. The initiative recognises the important role that arts, culture and the night-time economy play in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and enhancing the quality of life for residents.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s announcement builds on the blossoming creative scene already in existence in Drogheda that will be further enhanced by the pilot.The vision was officially launched at\u00a0McHugh\u2019s, one of the grassroots music venues in Drogheda that is driving the town\u2019s independent scene.<\/p>\n
\u2018Sound Town\u2019 sets out a vision for Drogheda\u2019s night-time economy, plus a series of practical actions including a Night Curation Fund to support emerging promoters and artists, plus a Sound Town Map which will act as a data source of Drogheda\u2019s Night-Time Economy for visitors, venues and promoters.<\/p>\n
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Olivia McCormack, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Delivery, Louth County Council;\u00a0Alan Leech\u00a0(panel member, local artist;\u00a0Rita Hynes, SoundTown producer;\u00a0Mark Davies,\u00a0Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda, Louth County Council;\u00a0Denise Loughran, Staff Officer, Economic Development & Tourism, Louth County Council<\/p>\n
Eighteen grassroots promoters are now delivering regular events, a significant proportion of whom are under 30 years old, showing positive signs of young people returning to nightlife in the town. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Independent venues, McHugh\u2019s and Odd Mollies, have already received significant funding (\u20ac28k) from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport as part of the investment in the town\u2019s night-time economy, whilst last year\u2019s\u00a0Drogheda by Night\u00a0survey gave the town a clear mandate for a safer, more culture-led night out.<\/p>\n
Drogheda\u2019s residents clearly asked for more choice in the survey which garnered 1,238 responses. Over 70% called for late night cafes, 58% would like to see more gigs and over 86% would like to see more alcohol-free options, underlining trends across the country for the changing demand for night-life experiences.<\/p>\n
Developed through the Night-Time Economy Adviser pilot, Sound Town has been produced in partnership between Louth County Council and the Drogheda Purple Flag partnership, funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The Sound Town vision is supported by innovative funding that encourages collaboration and a digital map of Drogheda\u2019s night-time offering.<\/p>\n
Cllr Declan Power, Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda\u00a0and\u00a0Manager of local venue, The Barbican Centre, welcomed the launch of the Sound Town vision, saying:<\/p>\n
\u201cDrogheda has always been a town with its own unique character, story and spirit. From our rich heritage and vibrant arts scene to the creativity and ambition of the people who live and work here, we have something genuinely distinctive to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sound Town vision reflects the confidence we have in Drogheda\u2019s future and in the people and organisations who make the town come alive after dark.\u00a0 By investing in culture, creativity, safety and inclusion, we can create new opportunities for local businesses, support jobs, attract visitors and strengthen community connections, while building a night-time economy that is vibrant, sustainable, safe, welcoming and uniquely Drogheda.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Olivia McCormack, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Delivery, Louth County Council; Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda,\u00a0Cllr Declan Power\u00a0(also manager of The Barbican Centre); with\u00a0Mark Davies, Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda, Louth County Council<\/p>\n
Mark Davies,Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda, Louth County Council,\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cYou can\u2019t manufacture an independent creative scene. You can choose to back it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSound Town isn\u2019t asking Drogheda to become something new. It\u2019s recognising what already makes the town different and building on it. That\u2019s what we mean by Ireland\u2019s East Coast Alternative.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia McCormack, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Delivery, Louth County Council, said:\u00a0\u201cSound Town is an important milestone in our work to support a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive night-time economy in Drogheda.<\/p>\n
Through the Night-Time Economy Adviser pilot, we have worked closely with local businesses, artists, venues, promoters, and community stakeholders to develop a vision that reflects Drogheda\u2019s unique character and strengths, and Sound Town demonstrates how culture and economic development can work hand-in-hand to deliver lasting benefits for the town and its communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collette Farrell, Director, Droichead Arts Centre,\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cDrogheda reminds us of Dublin in the late 80s\/early 90s \u2013 a place where people could take creative risks, try new ideas and build something together. As a blow-in and having worked in Dublin during that time, there\u2019s a real energy here, driven by independent artists, musicians, promoters and venues, and it\u2019s exciting to see that being recognised and supported through Sound Town.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alan Cooney, McHugh\u2019s Music Venue\u00a0added:\u00a0\u201cI feel lucky to work in such an artsy town as Drogheda, but there\u2019s incredible talent across Louth. It\u2019d be great to see our special venues make the most of this, giving emerging artists the space to grow and shape the future of music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s launch event marks the start of the next chapter for the town\u2019s after-dark culture.\u00a0 It brought together the artists, promoters, businesses and partners of Drogheda who have helped shape the night-time scene so far and to look to the future. Guests enjoyed a reading from poet Dagogo Hart, who read \u2018The Moon and Stars\u2019 live at the launch, and also heard from Councillor Declan Power, Mayor of Drogheda and a panel of visual artists, promoters and event organisers.<\/p>\n